ANSWER by Mr. Jacob L. Slavek on June 27, 2004

Dear Brad, Sure I can give you a "crash course" here, although I am no expert on the Eastern Rites. In the West, there is one rite: Latin. This would cover Western Europe, parts of Africa and all of the Americas, although there are Eastern Rite Catholics living in these areas. Also the large population of Catholics in Southeastern Asia and Australia is mostly Latin I believe. The Pope is the head of the Latin rite IN ADDITION to being head of the entire Catholic Church which would include the Eastern Rites. The Eastern Rites have their own authority and hierarchy and laws but ultimately they are under the Pope. Eastern Rites (Byzantine, etc) have there own distinct histories and traditions, but they are fully united with the others rites and the Latin Rite under the Pope. They believe the same things that we believe, they are in full communion. They have different liturgical rites and traditions as well, but again it is all united with all other Liturgy as the universal prayer of the Church. The Liturgy is celebrated in the many different languages of the Rites. (not Latin) I believe there are about 25 Eastern Rites, they are in Eastern Europe and Africa, Asia, the Middle East and India and I'm sure other places as well. Some of these Catholics have come to the United States and have built churches here, you will find them in large cities. Again this is just the basics: There is MUCH history to be told about these rites about where they came from or how they formed, how some left and returned to full communion etc. To summarize: They are in full communion, believe the same Teaching as the Latin rite believes, but have different history, traditions, devotions, languages and liturgical rites. Mr. Slavek